The world is changing in 2011. With mysterious organizations and people vanishing left and right, a young man is in a battle even he doesn't understand. Pursued by forces beyond the ordinary, he runs to find the truth about himself and his power.

That
was where the letter cut off, having been partially cooked in the
same fire that burned the house where it resided. Luther Quinn
grimaced knowing had been too late to prevent it, although he was not
surprised that it happened. Whoever the enemy was, they had gotten to
the house first. The person who wrote the letter knew too much
information it seemed; too much information posed him as a threat to
the enemy. However, one question still remained in Luther's mind: why
did the enemy burn down the house if they only needed one man? An act
such as reducing a home to cinders in a neighborhood drew more
attention, not less.

Luther
chose not to show the authorities the letter because he knew that it
would serve him better in the end. He pocketed the letter and started
to leave the disaster scene. Although he was thankful he managed to
arrive, his new source of information--the man--was most likely
reduced to ashes inside the wreckage. Since the owner of the house
had called him the day before, Luther could only take in the idea
that if he had arrived earlier and conversed with the man, so many
more lives could have been saved.

Silently
walking past the group of distracted authorities and onlookers,
Luther Quinn slipped out of the subdivision to where his motorcycle
awaited him.

--

Terre
Haute, Indiana

--

It
was on his mind again.

Every
so often, he thought of families across the nation who desperately
searched for their missing loved ones.

Not
even his friend Karen and her family remained safe against
unwarranted intrusion. Her brother, snatched away without mercy.
Playing one moment, then gone into nothingness; taken by some
unidentified predator. No information regarding his whereabouts even
popped up in the slightest bit, despite the police trying to gain any
traction in the search. He remembered how distraught and perturbed
Karen felt over the whole situation. Time and time again he told her
it was going to be okay but even he wasn't sure what the outcome was
going to be. Karen had gotten better, that much was certain, but he
still noticed she seemed more subdued than normal.

"So
like I was saying, Jim was acting stupid in what he did. He really
shouldn't have made Jennifer so angry. Of course, Jennifer does
have a right to be angry considering what happened today."

Seth
Richards listened to the rants of his friend Kyle, only he had
trouble deciphering what was being said due to the excess noise made
by the other people in the movie theater. Sighing deeply, he caught
something that sounded like 'Jim' and 'Jennifer' but he
didn't ask for Kyle to repeat what was said. He knew it was easier
to just nod your head if Kyle was speaking to you.

Kyle's
nice and all, thought
Seth. He
just gets overexcited.

"So
then Jim comes crying to me looking for an answer as to why Jennifer
dumped him. It was obvious but I played my cards right and didn't
tell him outright what was going on. He should be able to figure it
out himself-"

Sullen
eyes belonging to Seth continued to watch the flashing ads on the
movie screen. Scratching his head, he pulled out several long strands
of long brown hair by accident and he shook them off of his gaunt,
slightly pale face. Adjusting his position in his chair, he stretched
his long, stocky legs out until they hit the seat in front of him.
His faded jeans strained under the tension and his jacket rustled.
Tall and lanky, he felt the side of the armrest dig into his ribs and
he shifted until he was comfortable again.

Apparently
the screen thought he needed some encouragement to eat while he
twisted and ads on the movie screen flashed in front of his eyes.

Try
South Cineplex 16's New Popcorn, Our own Original Recipe!

"…then
Jim tried to get Steve, Jennifer's ex-boyfriend,
to
help fix things. Exactly what he thought Steve could fix is beyond
me, so in my opinion, Jim's dumber than a stuffed olive .."

Gerri's
Hot Dogs now sold at the concession stands, try one today! All
premium beef!

"…Steve
then thought Jim was trying to insult him and so that explained the
nasty fight after school today in the back lot. You didn't happen to
see it did you? It got kind of ugly."

"Look
Kyle, I've lost interest. I know Jim isn't too smart but you
don't have to relay the story all over again to me, okay? I already
heard the story from Karen."

Kyle's
face fell. "Oh…you did?" he asked. Karen, who sat to his right,
nodded in exasperation.

"Uh,
sorry. why didn't you tell me?"

"It's
alright, I just tuned you out."

Kyle
shook his head in mock disbelief but Seth was actually glad his
friend chose to change the subject. Moments before, discussions of
strange disappearances and the nature of Karen's missing brother had
represented the centerfold of their conversation.

"Hey
Karen," said Kyle. "Wasn't Teresa supposed to come too?"

Karen
sighed and looked off to the seat they had saved for their friend.
"She couldn't. I think she had to go help her mom with something
tonight but she never said what it was."

"Sheesh,
you think she could get out more. Oh well, more popcorn for me!"
Kyle exclaimed happily.

"Do
you ever stop thinking about food?" inquired Seth.

"Nope,
never!" replied Kyle. With a swift hand motion, he grabbed the
large popcorn bucket on the floor.

A
chuckle was the only thing Seth allowed himself to utter, and Karen
laughed soon after. The conversational subject changed again.

"So,
Seth where are you going to college, have you figured it out yet?"
Karen asked across from Kyle.

Seth
shifted uncomfortably in his seat and closed his eyes: Why
does Karen care so much…why does it even matter? Sure, we're
friends but she doesn't press Kyle like this…oh wait, that was
because Kyle said he was going to Purdue University in West
Lafayette…Karen's going to Indiana State here in town I think.

He
crossed his arms like he always did when people addressed him on,
what was in his opinion, a touchy subject. Karen's question made
him recall the conversation he had with his mom a year ago in his
junior year:

--

"I'm
not going to college…is that why you're so upset?" he had asked
his mom.

"But
why…you've got decent enough grades in all your classes! Why
should you not go?"

"Don't
worry about you? You're my son! It's what your father would have
wanted!"

Seth
remembered how his mother's eyes filled with tears after the mention
of "your father."

"How
do we know what dad would've wanted since he's no longer around to
tell us?!"

--

A
voice derailed his train of thought. "Um…Seth? Are you okay? You
look angry."

Seth
put his arms down and leaned over to stare at Karen. Karen Etherton,
he reminded himself, a girl who always seemed to care. Not just about
him and the rest of their usual crew--Kyle and Teresa--but she was
always involved in some sort of community service work: he knew Karen
could be seen near highways picking up trash or at community shelters
donating food.

Kyle
downed a swig of popcorn and stared at him. Seth grudgingly decided
that now was finally the time that he broke the news to his friends.
Looking at Karen's dark hair that swished behind her as well as the
inquisitive blue eyes on her freckled face, he shook his head.

"I'm
not going to college, okay?"

Karen
was confused. "Wait, you're not? But all this time you've been
working really hard and such. Remember the report we did on the Color
Spectrum? Teach' said that you had the potential to go far in
science. Didn't you have a high grade in there?"

"Look,
can we talk about this some other time? Why is it such a big deal?
It's not like the fate of the world depends on it. There are plenty
of things I want to do that I can get a job in."

Karen
opened her mouth again to protest but Kyle butt in quickly. "Look,
it's just his decision alright? He knows what he wants to do so
leave him be! Besides, the previews are starting and I don't want
to miss them!"

The
lights indeed dimmed to a gentle glow and the noise in the theater
died down as Seth popping his back and Kyle's mouth smacking the
popcorn could be heard among quiet whispers. All the while, Seth
could tell that Karen was still concerned and disappointed for not
being able to continue her persuasion.

"We'll
talk later!" Seth whispered to her. However, his pacification
seemingly failed as she merely shook her head and sighed. Seth rubbed
his eyes and groaned. Seriously,
that's Karen's problem. She overreacts on things that don't
really matter.

The
previews started to roll out and Seth allowed himself to be caught up
in a world that could only be viewed on screen. For a few hours, the
magic of the movies would unroll leaving him caught up in a story not
their own.

--

"Seriously,
that was the stupidest movie I've ever seen, and this is coming
from the guy who saw Tomato
Wars!
The special effects weren't even convincing in the least! This
isn't nineteen-ninety four!"

The
movie was over and Seth, along with Karen and Kyle, stood out on the
parking lot along with other moviegoers. During the movie, night had
fallen completely and unbeknownst to Seth, it was past eleven o'
clock. Listening to Kyle rant once again like he always did when he
hated something, Seth watched his friend wave his curly black hair
out of his eyes and continue to pout. Seth noticed that Kyle, even
though he was only average size at best, imposed when he was angry.

"Really,
who expects a summer blockbuster with a promising cast like that to
have the worst special effects ever? This is the season where the
effects are supposed to be the best in the business!"

"Yeah,
well it wasn't exactly the holder of a good plot was it?"
retaliated Seth. "What were you expecting, some sort of epic,
life-changing moment?"

"Maybe."
Kyle shrugged. "I can't discuss this right now guys, I'll see
you all later. Good previews though, yeah, good previews." He
strode across the lot in the mild wind, Seth and Karen left to stand
alone. There was no need for anyone to describe the awkward silence
between them.

"So,
are you still angry at me?" Seth asked. He wanted to leave but he
knew he wouldn't get away very easy.

"Angry
at you? Of course I'm not angry! It's just that you have so much
potential and I hate to see you not use it!"

"Who
said that I wasn't going to use my potential just because I didn't
go to college? I have other hobbies too! You know this already, why
am I even saying it again?"

Karen
scoffed. "Fine, how could I forget…what do you like to do Mr.
Nonchalant?" Her ferocity increased by tenfold, Seth noticed people
walking to their cars were starting to stare.

"Look
can we quiet down?" he said in a hushed voice. "Fine I'll tell
you my hobbies, it's not like you don't know me enough after
hanging out for four years. I like computers and video games are okay
I guess. Bikes too, in fact I think I'll join a bike company.
There, does that appease you?"

But
Karen was not listening anymore and she turned around to show her
defiance. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "it's not you, it's
just I've been stressed ever since…"

Her
eyes filled with tears and Seth knew immediately of what she was
talking about. Karen's brother Gary was on her mind. Although her
family still felt distressed, it was not the biggest problem. The
real problem had showed its face a while ago.

People
from all over Indiana had been reported missing. While some dismissed
it as no cause for concern, the number had exceeded the one-hundred
mark two days ago. Then Seth had heard reports that more people had
been vanishing from other states as well. As suspected, there had
been a major cause for concern. Even police forces of every county
were making more rounds trying to track someone down.

As
strange as it seemed, that people from all over were vanishing in a
matter of a few months, it was obviously a mass effort. Anyone would
be baffled that a group of people were all linked to this mass
abduction, but it was undoubtedly true that this wasn't
coincidence. Seth alone had seen the nightly news reports a week ago
on how the FBI had already concluded that it was a mass effort, and
said they were conducting investigations and interviews. Suspects
supposedly had already been labeled. But from where to start, that
had been the scary thing. There were very few directions to go. The
FBI did work as well as it could, Seth guessed, but he figured it
wasn't much to lean on. Sure, they might have made headway but it
didn't change the fact of how
the victims became victims. People who were abducted simply
disappeared on the spot and were never seen again.

"I
know that you feel pain for your brother," said Seth. "But
there is no use in taking your stress out on me. I'm just one more
person to add to your already large burden. But if you ever need to
talk about anything, I'll listen if I can."

Karen
wiped tears from her eyes and nodded. "I'm sorry, it's just
that there's going to be an empty seat at graduation next week
where all of the families sit."

"Take
it easy Karen, it will be okay. The police will find whoever's doing
this and Gary will be found safe, I'm sure of it."

Seth
was of course not
sure of it, but anything that would get Karen to calm down would be
used to its efficiency. She responded to this with a wry smile in
which she then quickly hugged him and walked to her car on the other
end of the lot.

"…Which
leaves me," Seth said glumly as he glanced back towards the movie
theater. Groups of people chatted aimlessly on the sidewalks, and
others were walking back to their cars as well. The bike rack near
the entrance still held his old bike and he strode toward it at a
brisk pace. He hated not having his own car yet, but Seth knew the
use of his bicycle would never falter for him.

It's
not as if the gas prices are doing me any favors either, he
thought as he undid the chain holding the contraption. He got on
quickly, clipped his helmet, and set off for home.

--

So
why does Karen take out her anger on me anyway? I know she doesn't
like me because we've only been friends and she's still going out
with George anyway. Even if Gary hadn't been abducted would she
still act this way? Or does it still have to do with the fact that
I'm not going to college? I'm getting a diploma and then I'm
out.

Seth
was once again lost in his own musings which, from what his
companions told him, happened a lot. Riding down Florence Street, he
shifted gears to adjust to the bumpy road. The neighborhood where he
drove was quiet and Seth wished his house was closer. But he soon
found that he didn't care. The exercise was just fine and he enjoyed
the view of the outskirts as he biked farther south.

When
he came to a stop sign, Seth let himself get lost in his thoughts
once again. He shifted gears again and concentrated on the stars that
shone on the horizon of the night sky. That
is the one good thing about being out here. Nobody to tell you to
move or get over when you're biking. But it sure seems like people
are more uptight these days. It's all because of these vanishings.
They'll find the culprit though, they have to.

The
road started to twist and turn downwards and Seth switched gears
again.

But
it's not as if this is going to go on forever…but how long can
the abductors keep this up without getting caught. And why so may
adults? Is not as if they go in quietly or are led in by candy or
tricks.

Gears
switched a third time.

But
if even this had been going on for months and the FBI still have no
lead or evidence for anything than this has to be big, like some sort
of unexplained phenomena. Search me, I have no idea.

A
sound of gears clicking echoed around him.

I'll
bet mom's worried too, but she would be after Dad's disappearance
was similar to the ones that have been happening all over. Nothing,
no trace, absolutely nothing to lead on whatsoever. She probably
thinks I'm next.

Seth
hadn't realized he already arrived on the country road his house
lay next to. It seemed he had ridden down the path to his house so
many times; his body now took him there on its own. The house stood
out among the slightly barren fields. Painted white, with black
shutters, it had two floors. A garage connected on its left side.
However, through all of its changes and individualities, further
inspection revealed it to be no different than any average country
house someone would have seen on a typical day.

He
put his bike inside the garage and Seth entered his home only to be
greeted by his irate mother in the foyer.

"I
was starting to worry, you said you'd be back at eleven!" she
said shrilly.

"Sorry,
I guess I should have called. The movie lasted longer than expected."

"'I
guess I should've called?' That's all you have to say in a time
when people are vanishing for no apparent reason?"

Knowing
how much his mom cared made him feel guilty about leaving her in more
darkness than was necessary. He knew ever since his dad had been gone
she would do anything to keep him safe. Just as all mothers would.

"Okay,
you're right, I was careless and I was stupid, I should've called
beforehand," Seth retorted. But seeing his mom raise her hand to
her forehead in exasperation only heightened the impression that
something else had happened.

He
feared the answer. "Er…what do I not know about?"

Jackie
Richards only shook her head. Seth now knew that it was still about
him. He braced for the storm of fury that was to come.

"What
do you not know about? Have you any idea how worried I was with you
out past curfew and not one single call to this house?"

"I
didn't take my cell phone, I accidentally left it-"

"Forgot?
You are eighteen and it's a week until graduation. You still only
have that job at Earl's Bike Shop! What are you going to do? Where
will you go after it's over? You know you can't stay here!"

His
mother's words hung in his mind to dry, but he knew she was right.
Funds for her company had been cut and she feared that she had been
close to losing her job as an executive at her paper company she
worked for. Her payday had been getting smaller and smaller which was
telling Seth that he too had needed a job. They weren't poor, but
they weren't well off either.

Seth
tried to argue back. "Kyle is staying at his brother's house
until he moves all his stuff into his dorm at Purdue and he said I
could come along for a few months as his brother says might have a
job up there for me-they say they need cyclist experts in a
department of a company-"

"DO
YOU THINK, SETH RICHARDS, THAT ALL WILL GO AS YOU PLAN? TRY AT
LEAST-"

But
Seth knew no matter how hard he and his mom argued neither side would
triumph. The war started in freshmen year and would probably never
end. He had no idea what his mom was saying now and let the words
wash over him. He knew she was right…he had lived his life so far
with an air of unconcern and contempt, just taking things in
stride…but was it as bad as she made it out to be?

"Look,
mom, I'm sorry okay? I'll rethink the whole college thing if it
will make you feel better. You're right; I'm being stupid ever
since dad…left."

There
was nothing more that was said between them as his mom suddenly
hugged him and spoke in a whisper. "Just promise me you'll call
next time okay?"

"I
promise," he replied weakly.

He
pushed himself away and trudged upstairs where he hoped some sort of
consolation would present itself in the form of sleep.

--

Two
weeks had passed and school, along with graduation, was now over.
Summer let itself known by the sun baking Terre Haute with its rays.
The air conditioner was on full blast and boredom drilled Seth's
brain. Being in his room when he returned from the bike shop job, it
was too hot to do anything outside and he entertained himself by
bouncing a ball on the wall opposite him as he lay on his bed.

The
room itself seemed old to him and indeed it was--the room he slept in
was familiar since he could remember. A small book case held a cell
phone, a wallet and several graphic novels. Back in junior high, Seth
remembered how he had gone crazy for graphic novels and had even
wanted to draw his own. But a few sketches showed that not a grain of
artistic talent was present at all in his body and his interests soon
switched to bikes and machines after touring a factory in his
freshman year. Thus his current job had been born and it suited him
just fine.

With
each rebound, the ball he threw made a distinctive sound when it hit
the wall.

Bonk!

I
hope Karen's okay, she cares too much, that's why she's so
worked up. She needs to let the police just do what they can do and
get over it.

What
kind of thinking was that? Seth
told himself. Wow,
I'm getting to be insensitive lately. Maybe I should just shut my
mouth and stop acting like I only care about myself.

Bonk!

But
in the end, that's all I really do care about. No that's not
right, I do have friends and family.

Crash!

The
ball dodged his attempt to catch it and knocked the bedside lamp
over. It hit the hardwood floor and the bulb broke into pieces.
Trying to imitate what he had seen all the time in the movies and TV
shows, he felt like the person troubled in some way and took out
their stress by bouncing a ball on the wall opposite them. It worked
quite well in his opinion. For a while anyway.

Just
as he started to pick up the bulb shards, his bedroom door creaked
open and Seth looked to see an unfamiliar man in his room. A cursory
glance told Seth he had no idea who the man was at all. Short blond
hair with aviator glasses along with a jumpsuit that looked like it
was used for combat was not what Seth expected on a visitor either.

Seth
stood in shock, fearing that if he made a sudden move, the man might
retaliate. "Who're you and how'd you get in here?"

The
man stood in silence. Seth felt his heart pumping faster

"Answer
me or you get this broken lamp in the face, who are you?"

The
man still said nothing but drew a pistol from a holster. Seth's eyes
bulged as the man raised it. What was going on? This was all wrong,
it couldn't be happening. A woozy feeling of something surreal came
in his mind and for a moment he couldn't even remember why he was in
his room. Why was a man in a military combat uniform pointing a gun
at him, an eighteen-year-old kid who--as far as he could tell--had
done nothing wrong? He prepared himself for the worst. His teeth
shook slightly and he gritted them.

"Follow
me and don't try to resist," rasped the man. "If you do,
it will only make it more painful when we do
get
you."

Seth
raised his lamp in front of him even though he knew it wouldn't do
much good against an oncoming bullet. Think!
Think! Um...okay, I need to kick him or something.
Or
maybe I should surrender, no that won't do. Or..